Containers for aerosol-generating devices

ABSTRACT

A container for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a first compartment being sealed and tubular, and including a nicotine source; a second compartment being sealed and tubular, and including a delivery enhancing compound; and a transfer section disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment, at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment including a recessed end, and the transfer section being formed by a recess when one end of the first compartment abuts one end of the second compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of and claims the benefitof priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. application Ser. No.15/547,524, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, which is a U.S. national stageapplication under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/EP2016/052577, filed on Feb. 5,2016, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from EPApplication No. 15154224.8, filed on Feb. 6, 2015, the entire contentsof each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a container for an aerosol-generatingdevice, and to an aerosol-generating device configured to use thecontainer to generate an aerosol. In particular, the invention relatesto a container comprising reactants for forming aerosolised particles.

Devices and methods for delivering nicotine or other medicament to asubject in which a delivery enhancing compound is reacted with nicotineor other medicament in the gas phase to form an aerosol of particles areknown in the art. For instance, WO 2008/121610 A1 discloses a device inwhich a delivery enhancing compound and nicotine or other medicament arestored in separate reservoirs. The reactants, that is the deliveryenhancing compound and the nicotine or other medicament, formliquid-vapour mixtures in the reservoirs. In use, the respective vapoursare brought together to react with one another to form gaseousparticles.

In order to improve storage of the liquid reactants, it has beenproposed to use aluminium canisters within a disposable article for usein a device. The aluminium canisters are formed into an article bycombining them together, generally in a spaced apart relationship, usingan outer wrapper. The use of aluminium canisters enables the volatiledelivery enhancing compound and the nicotine or other medicament to bestored without substantial degradation by oxidation, hydrolysis or otherunwanted reactions, which may alter the properties of the reactants.

However, the use of aluminium canisters increases the cost andcomplexity of the article, in addition to increasing the manufacturingcosts and complexity.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an articlefor use in an aerosol-generating device which reduces the cost andcomplexity of an article having aluminium canisters withoutsignificantly compromising the improved storage of the liquid reactantsprovided by such aluminium canisters.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the complexityof manufacturing such articles.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container for an aerosol-generating device. The container comprises: afirst compartment, being sealed and tubular and comprising a nicotinesource; a second compartment, being sealed and tubular and comprising adelivery enhancing compound; and a transfer section arranged between thefirst compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment andthe second compartment are formed from a laminate material, the laminatecomprising at least one layer of cardboard material and at least onelayer of polymeric material. The layer of polymeric material forms theinternal surface of the first compartment and second compartment.

Forming the compartments from such a laminate material may reduce themanufacturing complexity as compared to the prior art compartmentsformed from aluminium. The use of laminate materials having a base ofcardboard also reduces the cost of the compartments, and enablesefficient manufacturing techniques for forming cardboard tubes to beused.

In addition, the use of a polymeric material to form the inner surfaceof the compartments reduces or eliminates any degradation of thenicotine source, and more particularly reduces or eliminates anydegradation of the delivery enhancing compound, which may otherwiseoccur when the aluminium compartments of the prior art act as acatalyst. The use of polymeric material also maintains a good barrier tooxygen, moisture and UV light, all of which may also cause thedegradation of the compartment contents.

Preferably, the laminate material further comprises at least one layerof metallic material which is provided adjacent the layer of polymericmaterial. The metallic layer may improve the barrier to oxygen, moistureand UV light. The metallic layer is preferably formed from aluminium. Inaddition, where the container is used with an aerosol-generating devicehaving a heater, the heat transfer between the heater and the contentsof the compartments may be improved by the provision of the metalliclayer.

The at least one layer of polymeric material may comprise a materialselected from the group consisting of polypropylene; polyethylene;modified acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene; fluorinated ethylene propylene; polyether etherketone; liquid crystal polymer, polyoxymethylene; and mixtures thereof.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the polymeric material is amodified acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer, available as Barex®.The use of such materials may enable a film to be formed using standardmachinery for processing polymeric materials such as PVC, which arewell-known in this field. Furthermore, these materials typically do notdegrade, or react with, in any significant way the nicotine source, ordelivery enhancing compound.

In one embodiment, at least one layer of the laminate may have embeddedtherein, at least one of: a plurality of metal particles; at least onemetal wire; and at least one metal film. Embedding such materials mayenable heating of the container by either electrical conduction, orinduction. In this embodiment, the cardboard acts as an insulator toreduce the heating requirements and to reduce the external surfacetemperature. The interaction between the embedded metal and a device foruse with the container is described in detail below.

The first compartment and the second compartment are preferably sealedat each of their ends by a film. The seal is preferably affected byheat-sealing the film to the container, or induction welding. Preferablythe film is a thin-film, and is preferably frangible. Any suitable filmmay be used, but preferably the film comprises metal, more preferablyaluminium. The film may be a laminate comprising at least one layer of apolymeric material, and a layer of metal. The polymeric material ispreferably provided on the internal surface of the film.

In the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment may comprise at least onerecessed end, wherein the transfer section is formed by the recess whenone end of the first compartment abuts one end of the secondcompartment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container for an aerosol-generating device which comprises: a firstcompartment being sealed and tubular, and comprising a nicotine source;a second compartment being sealed and tubular, and comprising a deliveryenhancing compound; and a transfer section arranged between the firstcompartment and the second compartment. At least one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment comprises a recessed end, and thetransfer section is formed by the recess when one end of the firstcompartment abuts one end of the second compartment.

Advantageously, providing such a recess may reduce the number ofcomponents required to form a container having a transfer section. Thismay reduce the manufacturing costs and complexity.

As will be appreciated, any feature described with reference to thesecond aspect of the present invention is also, where appropriate,applicable to the first aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.

According to the first or the second aspect of the invention, thecompartments may be connected by an outer wrapper extending over thefirst compartment and the second compartment at least in a regionextending either side of the abutting ends. The outer wrapper may extendsubstantially along the whole longitudinal length of the container.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” is used to describe thedirection between the downstream or proximal end and the opposedupstream or distal end of the aerosol-generating article oraerosol-generating device and the term “transverse” is used to describethe direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The other of the first compartment and the second compartment whichcomprises the at least one recessed end may also comprise at least onerecessed end. The recessed end of the first compartment may abut therecessed end of the second compartment to form the transfer section. Inthis way, a suitable longitudinal length of transfer section can beformed without compromising the structural rigidity of a tubular elementforming the recess.

The container may further comprise a further portion, and a furthertransfer section arranged either between the first compartment and thefurther portion, or between the second compartment and the furtherportion. The further portion may be any appropriate function portion,including: a filter portion; a flavour portion; an aerosol-mixingchamber portion; and an aerosol-cooling portion. The flavour portion maycomprise tobacco, cast-leaf tobacco, homogenised tobacco, tobaccoextract, natural flavours, or artificial flavours. The further transfersection is preferably also formed by at least one recessed end of oneof: the first compartment; the second compartment; and the furtherportion. This may further reduce the number of components required toform the container.

The further portion may comprise a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may besealed at the downstream end of the container. The mouthpiece maycomprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples ofsuitable materials include thermoplastics that are suitable for food orpharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyether etherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene.

The portion of the at least one recessed end is preferably configured tooverlay at least a portion of the adjacent compartment. Preferably, thefirst compartment and the second compartment are affixed to each other.By arranging the compartments in this way, the container can be madewithout the need for an outer wrapper, which may reduce costs. Thenesting of the compartments, with one end of a compartment beingreceived in the recess of the other compartment may be an efficientprocess for joining such compartments together.

The overlaying portion of the at least one recessed end preferably abutsa neck portion of the adjacent compartment. This may facilitate thenesting. Such a neck portion may enable the longitudinal length of thetransfer section to be maintained more easily during manufacture, andbetter resists any axial loading placed on the container, for examplewhen the container is placed in a device. The neck portion of theadjacent compartment is preferably formed from an outer tube having alength less than the length of the compartment. The outer diameter ofthe outer tube is preferably substantially the same as the outerdiameter of the tubular portion forming the recess.

The overlaying portion of the at least one recessed end is preferablyadhered to the adjacent compartment. Preferably the joint between thefirst compartment and the second compartment is sealed, more preferablythe joint is not permeable to air. Any suitable adhesive may be used tojoin the compartments together. Alternatively, the compartments may bejoined together using a heat-sealer.

The compartment having a recess may be formed from a sealed compartmenthaving a first length, and a tubular element having a second length. Thesecond length may be greater than the first length. When a first end ofthe sealed compartment is adjacent a first end of the tubular element,the tubular element may extend passed the other end of the sealedcompartment to form the recess. The first end of the tubular element maybe displaced from the first end of the sealed compartment such that aneck portion is formed.

The tubular element may be cardboard or any other suitable material.

The container preferably comprises a first compartment comprising anicotine source, a second compartment comprising a delivery enhancingcompound, two transfer sections, and a filter section. Each of the firstcompartment, second compartment and filter section may comprise at leastone recessed end. The second compartment may comprise two recessed ends.The container may be formed by laying the first compartment, secondcompartment and filter section in end-to-end abutting relationship, andjoining them together, for example with an overwrapper of material. Thecomponents may be arranged such that the first compartment is upstreamof the second compartment which is upstream of the filter section. Therecessed ends may abut to form the transfer sections.

The first compartment may comprise a recessed end, the secondcompartment may comprise a neck portion and a recessed end, and thefilter section may comprise a neck portion. The recessed end of thefirst compartment may overlay the neck portion of the second compartmentto form a first transfer section, and the recessed end of the secondcompartment may overlay the neck portion of the filter section to form asecond transfer section.

As will be appreciated, further compartments, or portions such as amixing chamber or the like, can be provided by incorporating furtherrecessed ends, and neck portions as required.

As used herein, the terms ‘upstream’, ‘downstream’ and ‘distal’ and‘proximal’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, orportions of components, of aerosol-generating articles,aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems according tothe invention in relation to the direction of air drawn through theaerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating devices andaerosol-generating systems during use thereof.

The upstream and downstream ends of the container are defined withrespect to the airflow when a user draws on the proximal or mouth end ofthe container. Air is drawn into the aerosol-generating article at thedistal or upstream end, passes downstream through the aerosol-generatingarticles and exits the aerosol-generating article at the proximal ordownstream end.

The first compartment may comprise a tubular porous element. Thenicotine source may be sorbed on the tubular porous element.

The second compartment may comprise a tubular porous element.Preferably, the delivery enhancing compound is sorbed on the tubularporous element.

As used herein, by “sorbed” it is meant that the delivery enhancingcompound, or volatile liquid, is adsorbed on the surface of the tubularporous element, or absorbed in the tubular porous element, or bothadsorbed on and absorbed in the tubular porous element.

The tubular porous element preferably has a longitudinal length ofbetween about 5 mm and about 20 mm, more preferably of between about 7.5mm and about 15 mm, and even more preferably the tubular porous elementhas a longitudinal length of between about 9 mm and about 11 mm or ofabout 10 mm.

The tubular porous element may be a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinderis preferably a right circular hollow cylinder.

The second compartment preferably has a longitudinal length of betweenabout 5 mm and about 50 mm, more preferably between about 20 mm andabout 40 mm. Preferably the second compartment has a longitudinal lengthof about 35 mm.

The volume of the first compartment and the second compartment may bethe same or different. Preferably, the volume of the first compartmentis greater than the volume of the second compartment.

The molar ratio of (nicotine comprised in the first compartment) to(delivery enhancing compound comprised in the second compartment) ispreferably comprised between 5:1 to 1:5 and more preferably between 2:1and 1:2.

The molar ratio of (nicotine comprised in the first compartment) to(organic acid comprised in the second compartment) is preferablycomprised between 5:1 to 1:5 and more preferably between 2:1 and 1:2.

The molar ratio of (nicotine comprised in the first compartment) to(lactic acid comprised in the second compartment) is preferablycomprised between 5:1 to 1:5 and more preferably between 2:1 and 1:2.

The first compartment comprises a nicotine source. The nicotine sourcepreferably comprises one or more of nicotine, nicotine base, a nicotinesalt, or a nicotine derivative.

The nicotine source may comprise natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine.The nicotine source may comprise nicotine base, a nicotine salt, such asnicotine-HCl, nicotine-bitartrate, or nicotine-ditartrate, or acombination thereof.

The first compartment may further comprise an electrolyte formingcompound. The electrolyte forming compound may be selected from thegroup consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides,alkaline earth metal oxides, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)₂), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and combinations thereof.

The first compartment may further comprise other components including,but not limited to, tobacco, cast-leaf tobacco, homogenised tobacco,tobacco extract, natural flavours, artificial flavours and antioxidants.

Preferably, the first compartment comprises a liquid nicotineformulation. The liquid nicotine formulation may comprise pure nicotine,a solution of nicotine in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or a liquidtobacco extract. The liquid nicotine solution may comprise an aqueoussolution of nicotine base, a nicotine salt, such as nicotine-HCl,nicotine-bitartrate, or nicotine-ditartrate and an electrolyte formingcompound. The liquid nicotine solution may comprise a non-aqueoussolution of nicotine base, a nicotine salt, such as nicotine-HCl,nicotine-bitartrate, or nicotine-ditartrate and an electrolyte formingcompound.

In a preferred embodiment, the first compartment comprises a volatileliquid nicotine source.

The second compartment preferably comprises a volatile deliveryenhancing compound. As used herein, by “volatile” it is meant thedelivery enhancing compound has a vapour pressure of at least about 20Pa. Unless otherwise stated, all vapour pressures referred to herein arevapour pressures at 25° C. measured in accordance with ASTM E1194-07.

Preferably, the volatile delivery enhancing compound has a vapourpressure of at least about 50 Pa, more preferably at least about 75 Pa,most preferably at least 100 Pa at 25° C.

Preferably, the volatile delivery enhancing compound has a vapourpressure of less than or equal to about 400 Pa, more preferably lessthan or equal to about 300 Pa, even more preferably less than or equalto about 275 Pa, most preferably less than or equal to about 250 Pa at25° C.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may have a vapour pressure ofbetween about 20 Pa and about 400 Pa, more preferably between about 20Pa and about 300 Pa, even more preferably between about 20 Pa and about275 Pa, most preferably between about 20 Pa and about 250 Pa at 25° C.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may have a vapour pressure ofbetween about 50 Pa and about 400 Pa, more preferably between about 50Pa and about 300 Pa, even more preferably between about 50 Pa and about275 Pa, most preferably between about 50 Pa and about 250 Pa at 25° C.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may have a vapour pressure ofbetween about 75 Pa and about 400 Pa, more preferably between about 75Pa and about 300 Pa, even more preferably between about 75 Pa and about275 Pa, most preferably between about 75 Pa and about 250 Pa at 25° C.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may have a vapour pressure ofbetween about 100 Pa and about 400 Pa, more preferably between about 100Pa and about 300 Pa, even more preferably between about 100 Pa and about275 Pa, most preferably between about 100 Pa and about 250 Pa at 25° C.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise a single compound.Alternatively, the volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise twoor more different compounds.

Where the volatile delivery enhancing compound comprises two or moredifferent compounds, the two or more different compounds in combinationhave a vapour pressure of at least about 20 Pa at 25° C.

Preferably, the volatile delivery enhancing compound is a volatileliquid.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise a mixture of twoor more different liquid compounds.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise an aqueoussolution of one or more compounds. The volatile delivery enhancingcompound may comprise a non-aqueous solution of one or more compounds.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise two or moredifferent volatile compounds. For example, the volatile deliveryenhancing compound may comprise a mixture of two or more differentvolatile liquid compounds.

The volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise one or morenon-volatile compounds and one or more volatile compounds. For example,the volatile delivery enhancing compound may comprise a solution of oneor more non-volatile compounds in a volatile solvent or a mixture of oneor more non-volatile liquid compounds and one or more volatile liquidcompounds.

The delivery enhancing compound preferably comprises an acid.Preferably, the delivery enhancing compound comprises an acid. Morepreferably, the delivery enhancing compound comprises an acid having avapour pressure of at least about 5 Pa at 20° C. Preferably, the acidhas a greater vapour pressure than nicotine at 20° C.

The delivery enhancing compound may comprise an organic acid or aninorganic acid. Preferably, the delivery enhancing compound comprises anorganic acid. More preferably, the delivery enhancing compound comprisesa carboxylic acid. Most preferably, the carboxylic acid comprises a2-oxo acid, or lactic acid. Preferably, the carboxylic acid compriseslactic acid. Other suitable acid includes aspartic acid, glutamic acid,and salicylic acid.

The 2-oxo acid may comprise an acid selected from the group consistingof 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, pyruvic acid, 2-oxovaleric acid,4-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoic acid, 2-oxooctanoicacid and combinations thereof. The delivery enhancing compound maycomprise pyruvic acid.

The tubular porous element is preferably a sorption element with an acidsorbed thereon.

The tubular porous element may be formed from any suitable material orcombination of materials. For example, the sorption element may compriseone or more of glass, stainless steel, aluminium, polyethylene (PE),polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and BAREX®.

Where the second compartment comprises a tubular porous element, thetubular porous element may comprise one or more porous materialsselected from the group consisting of porous plastic materials, porouspolymer fibres, ceramic fibres, and porous glass fibres. The one or moreporous materials may or may not be capillary materials and arepreferably inert with respect to the acid. The particular preferredporous material or materials will depend on the physical properties ofthe acid. The one or more porous materials may have any suitableporosity so as to be used with different acids having different physicalproperties.

Suitable porous fibrous materials include, but are not limited to:cellulose cotton fibres, non-woven felts, cellulose acetate fibres andbonded polyolefin fibres, such as a mixture of polypropylene andpolyethylene fibres.

The tubular porous element may have any suitable size and shape.

The size, shape and composition of the tubular porous element may bechosen to allow a desired amount of volatile delivery enhancing compoundto be sorbed on the tubular porous element.

The tubular porous element advantageously acts as a reservoir for thedelivery enhancing compound.

The compartments of the container may be formed by any suitable knownmethod for forming tubes from sheet material, in particular methods forforming tubes from paper-based sheet material. For example, the tubesfor the compartments may be formed by helically winding elongatelaminate material onto a mandrel, the edges of the elongate laminatematerial abutting each other. Alternatively, the laminate material maybe formed by winding consecutive layers of the laminate onto the mandrelto build up the compartment and laminate material simultaneously.

In an alternative example, the laminate, or layers thereof, are woundaround a mandrel such that a seam is formed parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the mandrel.

The first example is preferred as it enables a tube to be formed ofsubstantially infinite length.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an aerosol-generating system. The system comprises: a containeras described herein; and an aerosol-generating device configured toreceive the container. The device comprises: a piercing member forpiercing each of the first compartment and the second compartment of thecontainer.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” refers to anaerosol-generating device that interacts with an aerosol-generatingarticle, in this case a container as described herein, to generate anaerosol that is directly inhalable into a user's lungs thorough theuser's mouth.

The aerosol-generating device preferably comprises heating means forheating one or both of the nicotine source and the volatile deliveryenhancing compound source of the container. The aerosol-generatingdevice may comprise one heating means for heating both the nicotinesource and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source. Theaerosol-generating device may comprise at least two heating means. Thenicotine source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source maybe heated at identical or different temperatures.

The compartments of the container may be arranged in parallel. Thecompartments of the container are preferably arranged in series. As usedherein, by “series” it is meant that the first compartment and thesecond compartment are arranged within the container so that in use anair stream drawn through the container passes through the firstcompartment and then passes through the second compartment. Nicotinevapour is released from the nicotine source in the first compartmentinto the air stream drawn through the container and delivery enhancingcompound vapour is released from the delivery enhancing compound in thesecond compartment. The delivery enhancing compound vapour reacts withthe nicotine vapour in the gas phase to form an aerosol, which isdelivered to a user.

The aerosol-generating device preferably has at least one air inlet. Asused herein, the term “air inlet” is used to describe one or moreapertures through which air may be drawn into the aerosol-generatingsystem.

As used herein, the term “air outlet” is used to describe one or moreaperture through which air may be drawn out of the aerosol-generatingsystem. Preferably, the air outlet is provided at the downstream end ofthe container.

Preferably, each of the first compartment and the second compartmentcomprises a frangible barrier at each end. The frangible barrier isconfigured such that the barrier can be pierced by the piercing memberwhen the container is inserted into the aerosol-generating device by theuser.

Preferably the outer housing of the aerosol-generating device comprisesa cavity configured to receive the container. Preferably, the cavity hasa longitudinal length greater than the longitudinal length of theelongate piercing member. In this way, the piercing portion of thepiercing member is not exposed, or accessible by the user.

Preferably, the cavity of the aerosol-generating device is substantiallycylindrical. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have atransverse cross-section of any suitable shape. For example, the cavitymay be of substantially circular, elliptical, triangular, square,rhomboidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal transversecross-section.

Preferably, the cavity of the aerosol-generating device has a transversecross-section of substantially the same shape as the transversecross-section of the container to be received in the cavity.

The aerosol-generating system may further comprise a power supply forproviding power to the, when present, at least one heater, and controlcircuitry. The control circuitry is preferably configured to control thesupply of power to the at least one heater such that the deliveryenhancing compound and the nicotine source are sufficiently volatilisedto enable the generation of an aerosol.

As described above, the material forming the compartments may comprise aplurality of metal particles, at least one metal wire, or at least onemetal film. In this embodiment, the at least one heater may utilise theembedded metal to form at least part of the heater. In this case, thedevice comprises means for interacting with the embedded metal to causethe temperature of the container to increase. The interaction may be viainduction, in which case the device comprises an inductive coil tocouple with the embedded metal. The interaction may be via electricalconduction, in which case the device comprises electrical contacts forengaging with corresponding electrical contacts provided on thecontainer.

In use, the nicotine may react with the acid in the gas phase, either ina transfer section or in the second compartment to form aerosolisednicotine salt particles.

It will be understood that the aerosol-generating system may also beregarded as an aerosol delivery system. That is to say, theaerosol-generating system provides means for the nicotine source, suchas a nicotine formulation, and the delivery enhancing compound, such asa pyruvic acid or lactic acid, to mix and generate an aerosol but doesnot actively generate the aerosol.

Where the container comprises a filter section, the filter section maycomprise a filtration material capable of removing at least a portion ofany unreacted acid mixed with aerosolised nicotine salt particles drawnthrough the filter section. The filtration material may comprise asorbent, such as activated carbon.

As will be appreciated, a number of factors influence the formation ofthe nicotine salt particles. In general, in order to control thenicotine delivery it is important to control the vaporisation of thenicotine formulation and the acid. It is also important to control therelative quantities of the nicotine and the acid. Preferably, the molarratio of acid to nicotine in the aerosol forming chamber is aboutbetween about 5:1 and about 1:5, preferably between about 2:1 and about1:2, preferably about 1:1. The use of acid as a delivery enhancingcompound has been found to approximately double the delivery rate ofnicotine to a user for equivalent power supplied to the vaporiser.

The vaporisation of the acid may be controlled by the concentration ofthe acid in the first compartment, and by the exchange surface area ofacid in the second compartment. The vaporisation of the acid may becontrolled by heating the second compartment of the container or byheating ambient air drawn through the device before it passes throughthe second compartment.

The container is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. Thecontainer may have a transverse cross-section of any suitable shape.Preferably, the container is of substantially circular transversecross-section or of substantially elliptical transverse cross-section.More preferably, the container is of substantially circular transversecross-section.

Preferably, the container has a transverse cross-section substantiallythe same shape as the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

The container may simulate the shape and dimensions of a tobacco smokingarticle, such as a cigarette, a cigar, a cigarillo or a pipe, or acigarette pack. Preferably, the housing simulates the shape anddimensions of a cigarette.

The aerosol-generating device and container may be arranged toreleasably lock together when engaged.

The outer housing of the device may be formed from any suitable materialor combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include, butare not limited to, metals, alloys, plastics or composite materialscontaining one or more of those materials. Preferably, the outer housingis light and non-brittle.

The aerosol-generating system and device are preferably portable. Theaerosol-generating system may have a size and shape comparable to aconventional smoking article, such as a cigar or cigarette.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to otheraspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular,method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be appliedto any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriatecombination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of thevarious features described and defined in any aspects of the inventioncan be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show a cross-sectional view of a container accordingto one embodiment of the present invention and a cross-section of thematerial used to form the container;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show a schematic representation of a containeraccording to a further embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further example of acontainer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 2(a) and 2(b);

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show a schematic representation of a containeraccording to a yet further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a further example of acontainer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b); and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of an aerosol-generating systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1(a) shows a cross-sectional view of a container 100 for use in anaerosol-generating device. The container 100 comprises a firstcompartment 102, a second compartment 104 and a transfer section 106.The first compartment comprises a nicotine source, and in particular avolatile liquid nicotine source. The second compartment comprises adelivery enhancing compound, in particular a volatile liquid deliveryenhancing compound comprising an organic acid such as lactic acid orpyruvic acid. The transfer section 106 is a hollow tubular elementprovided between the first compartment and the second compartment.

The first compartment and the second compartment are formed from hollowtubes, and are sealed at each end by frangible barriers 108, 110 and112, 114 respectively. The transfer section 106 is also formed from ahollow tube 116, the tube abutting an end of each compartment. The firstcompartment 102, second compartment 104 and transfer section 106 arecombined together by an outer wrapper 118.

FIG. 1(b) shows a cross-section of the laminate material used to formhollow tubular elements of the first compartment and second compartment.In this example, the laminate material comprises three layers of paper120, a layer of metal 122, and a layer of a polymeric material 124. Informing the tubular elements for the first compartment and the secondcompartment, the laminate is arranged such that the layer of polymericmaterial forms the inner surface of the compartments. In this example,the layer of metal is aluminium, and the layer of polymeric material isa modified acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer, availablecommercially as Barex®.

Forming the compartments from such a laminate material reduces themanufacturing complexity as compared to the prior art method of formingthem from extruded aluminium. The use of laminate materials having abase of paper also reduces the cost of the compartments, and enablesknown, and efficient manufacturing techniques for forming cardboardtubes to be used.

The polymeric material used to form the inner surface of thecompartments reduces or eliminates any degradation of the nicotinesource, and more particularly reduces or eliminates any degradation ofthe pyruvic or lactic acid, which may otherwise occur when the aluminiumcompartments of the prior art act as a catalyser. The use of polymericmaterial also maintains a good barrier to oxygen, moisture and UV light,all of which may also cause the degradation of the compartment contents.

The frangible barriers 108, 110, 112, and 114 are heat-sealed to the endfaces of the respective compartments. The frangible barriers are alsoformed from a laminate material. The frangible barrier laminatecomprises a layer of polymeric material and a layer of metal. Similarlyto the laminate material used to form the hollow tubular elements of thecompartments the polymeric material is provided on the inner surface ofthe barrier. Again, in this example, the polymeric material is amodified acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer, and the metal isaluminium.

The tubular elements of the first compartment 102 and the secondcompartment 104 may be formed by any suitable known method for formingtubes from sheet material, in particular methods for forming tubes frompaper-based sheet material. Indeed, at least one advantage of thecontainer is that it may be formed using known methods which are lesscomplex and cheaper than the methods for forming the metal containers ofthe prior art.

In one example, the tubular elements are formed by helically windingelongate laminate material onto a mandrel, the long edges of theelongate laminate material abutting each other. In this way, a hollowtube may be formed of infinite length. Once the tube is formed it is cutto the required lengths for the first compartments and secondcompartments. The laminate material may be formed by winding consecutivelayers of the laminate onto the mandrel to build up the tubular elementand laminate material simultaneously.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show a schematic representation of another exampleof a container 200. Similarly to the container described with referenceto FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the container 200 comprises a first compartment202 comprising a nicotine source, a second compartment 204 comprising adelivery enhancing compound, and a transfer section 206. Again, eachcompartment is sealed by a frangible barrier (not shown) at each end ofa hollow tubular element. Each compartment may be formed in a similarmanner, using similar materials, to the compartments described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1. Alternatively, other known methods andmaterials, such as extruded aluminium canisters can be used to form thecompartments.

As can be seen, the container is formed from two sections 208 and 210,each section comprising a compartment and a recess 212, 214respectively. The recess 212, 214 is formed from an outer wrapper 216,218 of material, such as paper, extending passed one end of thecompartment. The transfer section is formed by abutting the firstsection to the second section, the recesses 212 and 214 being combinedto form the transfer section 206. The two sections are either directlyadhered to each other, or a further outer wrapper of material isprovided at least over the region extending either side of the joinbetween the two sections.

Such an arrangement reduces the number of components required to form acontainer having a transfer section between compartments.

Another example of an embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 2(b) isshown in FIG. 3. In this example, the container comprises a firstsection 208, which is the same as the first section described above withreference to FIG. 2, a second section 302, and a third section 304. Thesection 302 including the second compartment 204 is provided withrecesses 306 and 308 at each end. The recesses are formed in the sameway as described above. The third section 304 comprises a filter 310 anda recess 312. The filter 310 may be any appropriate filter for use in asmoking article, such as a tow filter. The recess 202 of the firstsection 208 abuts the recess 306 of the second section 302 to form afirst transfer section. The recess 306 of the second section 302 abutsthe recess 312 of the third section 304 to form a second transfersection. Again the sections are either directly adhered to each other,or a further outer wrapper of material is provided at least over theregion extending either side of the join between the each of thesections.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show a schematic representation of another exampleof a container 400. Similarly to the container described with referenceto FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the container 400 comprises a first compartment402 comprising a nicotine source, a second compartment 404 comprising adelivery enhancing compound, and a transfer section 406. Again, eachcompartment is sealed by a frangible barrier (not shown) at each end ofa hollow tubular element. Each compartment may be formed in a similarmanner, using similar materials, to the compartments described abovewith reference to FIG. 1. Alternatively, other known methods andmaterials, such as extruded aluminium canisters can be used to form thecompartments.

As can be seen, the container is formed from two sections 408 and 410.The section 408 comprises the first compartment 402, and has a neckportion 412. The neck portion 412 is formed by an outer wrapper 414 notextending along the entire longitudinal length of the compartment 402.The section 410 comprises the second compartment 404, and a recess 416which is formed from an outer wrapper 418 of material, such as paper,extending passed one end of the compartment. The transfer section isformed from a portion of the recess 416 when the section 408 is engagedwith the section 410. As can be seen in FIG. 4(b), the recess 416receives the neck portion 412 of the first compartment 402. The endsurface of the outer wrapper 418 abuts the end surface of the outerwrapper 414 to maintain the longitudinal length of the container. Theouter wrapper 418 is adhered to the neck portion 412. Such anarrangement reduces the number of components required to form acontainer having a transfer section between compartments.

Another example of an embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 4(b) isshown in FIG. 5. In this example, the container 500 comprises a firstsection 408, which is the same as the first section described above withreference to FIG. 4, a second section 502, and a third section 504. Thesection 502 including the second compartment 404 is provided with arecess 506 at a first end, and a neck portion 508 at a second end. Therecess and neck portion are formed in the same way as described above.The third section 504 comprises a filter 510 and a recess 512. Thefilter 510 may be any appropriate filter for use in a smoking article,such as a tow filter. The recess 506 of the second section 502 engageswith the neck portion of the first section 408 to form a first transfersection. The recess 512 of the third section 504 engages with the neckportion of the second section 502 to form a second transfer section.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system 600.The system 600 comprises an aerosol-generating device 602 and acontainer 300, 500 as described above. The aerosol-generating device 602comprises an outer housing having an elongate cylindrical cavityconfigured to receive the container 300, 500. The longitudinal length ofthe cavity is less than the length of the container such that theproximal, or downstream, end of the container 300, 500 protrudes fromthe cavity.

The device 602 further comprises a piercing member 604. The piercingmember is positioned centrally within the cavity of theaerosol-generating device and extends along the longitudinal axis of thecavity. At one end, the piercing member comprises a piercing portion inthe form of a cone having a circular base. The piercing member furthercomprises a shaft portion. As can be seen, when the container isreceived within the aerosol-generating device, the piercing member isconfigured to pierce the frangible barriers the first compartment andsecond compartment.

Air inlets (not shown) are provided at the upstream end of theaerosol-generating device 602. Air outlets (not shown) are provided atthe proximal, downstream, filter end of the container 300, 500.

In use, the user applies a longitudinal force to the container to insertit into the aerosol-generating device and pierce the frangible barrierswith the piercing member 604. The piercing member 604 breaks thefrangible barriers the first compartment and second compartment andcreates holes in the seals having a diameter approximately equal to themaximum diameter of the piercing portion. The maximum diameter of thepiercing portion is the diameter of the base circle of the cone whichforms the piercing portion.

As such, an airflow pathway is created extending from the air inlet (notshown) around the shaft of the piercing member 604, through the firstcompartment, through the transfer section, through the secondcompartment, through the second transfer section, exiting through thefilter section.

In use, the volatile liquid nicotine vapour released from the volatileliquid nicotine source is entrained into the airflow as it passesthrough the first compartment. The air then continues through thetransfer section, and then through the second compartment where thevolatile delivery enhancing compound is entrained into the air flow asthe user draws on the downstream end of the container.

The delivery enhancing compound vapour reacts with the nicotine vapourin the gas phase to form an aerosol, which is delivered to the userthrough the proximal, downstream, end of the container 300, 500.

The aerosol-generating device 602 further comprises a power supply 606,control circuitry 608, and an electrical heater 610. The controlcircuitry 608 is configured to control the supply of power from thepower supply 606 to the electrical heater 610. The electrical heater 610is shown adjacent the first compartment, and is used to increase thetemperature of the volatile liquid nicotine source to volatilize thenicotine at a rate such that the molar ratio of the nicotine vapour andthe delivery enhancing compound vapour ensures a substantially completereaction. In one example, the molar ratio between the nicotine and thedelivery enhancing compound where the delivery enhancing compound islactic acid, is between 5:1 and 1:5, preferably between 2:1 and 1:2,preferably 1:1.

Alternatively, or in addition, an electrical heater may be providedadjacent the second compartment. The control circuitry may be configuredto heat the second compartment to a different temperature to the firstcompartment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A container for an aerosol-generatingdevice, comprising: a first compartment being sealed and tubular, andcomprising a nicotine source; a second compartment being sealed andtubular, and comprising a delivery enhancing compound; and a transfersection disposed between the first compartment and the secondcompartment, wherein at least one of the first compartment and thesecond compartment comprises a recessed end, and wherein the transfersection is formed by a recess when one end of the first compartmentabuts one end of the second compartment.
 2. The container according toclaim 1, further comprising a further portion; and a further transfersection disposed either between the first compartment and the furtherportion or between the second compartment and the further portion. 3.The container according to claim 2, wherein the further transfer sectionis formed by at least one recessed end of one of: the first compartment,the second compartment, and the further portion.
 4. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein a portion of the recessed end isconfigured to overlay at least a portion of an adjacent compartment. 5.The container according to claim 4, wherein the portion of the recessedend overlays said portion of the adjacent compartment and abuts a neckportion of the adjacent compartment.
 6. The container according to claim4, wherein the portion of the recessed end overlays said portion of theadjacent compartment is adhered to the adjacent compartment.
 7. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the first compartment and thesecond compartment are affixed to each other.